Britain's new Tate Modern gallery will open its doors to the public on June 17, 2016, bringing together works from the collection and new acquisitions. It was created by architects Herzog & de Meuron.
The new Tate Modern will offer visitors 60 percent more display space to view works by 250 artists from around 50 countries. Visitors can expect interactive and socially-engaged projects that reveal how art has evolved from the studios and salons where modernism was born.
Turbine Hall will be at the heart of the new Tate Modern, with the existing six-storey Boiler House on one side and the new 10-storey Switch House on the other. The new Switch House will be on top of the underground Tanks, the gallery spaces dedicated to live art, film and installations. From the Tanks on the lower floor, visitors will be able to go all the way up to level 10 to enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view of the London skyline on the roof terrace.
Meanwhile the Boiler House will feature a completely re-hung collection. The artwork will explore connections between artists from across the globe. Performance, film, photography and installations will be integrated into the displays. There will also be space dedicated to digital engagements, reflection and debate throughout the museum.
Twentieth century artists such as Pablo Picasso and Mark Rothko will be on view along with artists introduced by Tate Modern, including Meschac Gaba (b.1961, Benin) and Saloua Raouda Choucair (b. 1916, Lebanon). The new Tate Modern will also house new acquisitions that will be displayed there for the first time. This will include an installation of human hair and car bumpers by Sheela Gowda (b. 1957, India). An immersive multi-screen film by Cannes prize-winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul (b. 1970 Thailand) will also be shown for the first time.
Louise Bourgeois will be the first artist presented in the new Tate Modern's gallery dedicated to the ARTIST ROOMS collection owned jointly by Tate and National Galleries of Scotland. The works that will be on display include sculptures, works on paper and fabric pieces. The inaugural show will illustrate how Bourgeois worked in both modern and traditional techniques, using diverse materials such as bronze, marble and fabric, as well as text and drawing. Her imagery addresses relationships, cycles of life and issues concerning body, memory, observation, surveillance and acts of repairing and forgiveness.
The exhibition will go on display for the opening of the new Tate Modern on June 17 and remain for a year. Afterwards the ARTIST ROOMS space will host exhibitions from the work of 40 artists from that collection.
